Sandusky Sentenced to 30 to 60 Years in Prison

(CN) - Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was sentenced Tuesday to 30 to 60 years in jail for sexually abusing 10 boys over 15 years.

The former defensive coordinator was convicted in June on 45 counts of child sexual abuse for molesting boys he met through The Second Mile, his charity for troubled youth. Eight of the 10 victims testified at trial, claiming Sandusky lavished them with attention, gifts and football excursions before sexually abusing them.

At least four young men have sued Penn State and/or The Second Mile for allegedly failing to prevent or stop the abuse.

Former graduate assistant coach Michael McQueary also testified that he witnessed Sandusky sexually attack a young boy in locker room showers in 2001.

McQueary sued the university last week, claiming it defamed him by making him a scapegoat in the fallout from Sandusky's arrest.

At Tuesday's sentencing, Pennsylvania Judge John Cleland called the 68-year-old Sandusky dangerous and accused him of abusing his victims' trust, according to The Associated Press.

Sandusky reportedly denied the allegations in a rambling statement at his sentencing.

"I've forgiven, I've been forgiven. I've comforted others, I've been comforted. I've been kissed by dogs, I've been bit by dogs. I've conformed, I've also been different. I've been me. I've been loved, I've been hated," he said.

"Others can take my life. They can make me out to be a monster. In my heart, I know I did not do these alleged disgusting acts."

The scandal tarnished the image of Penn State's football program and former head coach Joe Paterno, who died of lung cancer in January.

An investigation over the summer revealed that Paterno and other top officials had covered up serious allegations against Sandusky to protect the football program.

President Graham Spanier was ousted for his role in the cover-up, and a January trial is pending for university administrators Gary Schultz and Tim Curley, who allegedly lied to the grand jury and failed to report suspicions about Sandusky.

The NCAA fined Penn State $60 million, banned it from postseason play and reduced its football scholarships. It also stripped Paterno of 14 years of wins.

Sandusky, who will be 98 before he's eligible for parole, reportedly plans to appeal.

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